Equal Opportunities Committee, 19 Jun 2007

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Official Report 94KB pdf

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Work Programme

Agenda item 4 is consideration of the development of the committee's work programme. The clerks have prepared a detailed paper, one option in which is that the committee hold an away day, at which we will be able to give proper consideration to the legacy paper from the Equal Opportunities Committee in the previous parliamentary session. Members have an opportunity to read the legacy paper—indeed, some members were members of the previous committee. I stress that the recommendations in the legacy paper are not binding on us. However, it provides a useful indication of the important work that was done by the previous committee. I invite comments from members.

I thank the clerks and the members of the previous session's Equal Opportunities Committee for their work. The legacy paper shows how much the committee achieved. I would welcome an away day, so that we can discuss whether we want to take up issues that are raised in the paper. For example, it would be a good idea to continue the practice of appointing reporters.

I thank the committee for installing me as deputy convener.

Like Sandra White, I thank the clerks. I have served on the Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee since 1999 and I think that an away day is a good idea. We can use the day to discuss in more depth the ideas in the legacy paper and other ideas.

I echo that. An away day is necessary. I read the legacy paper with a fresh eye for the new session of the Parliament and I could find no suggestions that I thought that we should not follow up. That is worrying, because there is already quite a lot of work for the new committee, without our adding fresh ideas for the new session. We certainly need to discuss the paper in depth.

There is a lot in the legacy paper. There seems to be a consensus in the committee that we would like to have an away day to discuss the issues fully. Would it suit members if we held the away day in late August, at the end of the summer recess? That would give new members a chance to be properly briefed.

We have received some suggestions from the clerks of people who could be invited to the away day, including the Minister for Communities and Sport. Of the reasons for inviting him, not the least would be to consider the important inquiry into disability that the Equal Opportunities Committee held in the previous session. We might also invite other stakeholders who have previously provided useful background information on the issues that the committee will deal with over the coming months. Do members agree with those suggestions?

Members indicated agreement.

Convener, could we be offered a range of options for the date of the away day, to ensure that there is no clash with alternative diary appointments that members may have?

Yes. It would be helpful if members could confer with the clerks, indicating when they would not be available. Most members tend to leave the last week of August free—and free of holidays—so that they can catch up on work before the impending start of parliamentary business. The clerk, Steve Farrell, will e-mail members this week with some possible dates around that last week in August. Is that all right with members?

Members indicated agreement.

One final point is the timing of our committee meetings. Our meetings will start at 11 o'clock on Tuesday mornings, if that meets with members' approval. However, we will start earlier if the business of the committee so requires—as it often will if, for example, we are taking evidence. Do members approve of that plan?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. It remains only for me to thank members for their attendance. I look forward to seeing you all at the away day.

Thank you, and congratulations, convener.

I close the very first meeting of the Equal Opportunities Committee in this, the third session of the Scottish Parliament.

Meeting closed at 11:08.